Celebrity Traitors legend Joe Marler confirmed by BBC as first-ever Celebrity Gladiator

The rugby legend and TV personality will go by the stage moniker of Mauler.

Joe Marler wearing a white t-shirt and brown leather jacket, looking ahead.

BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells

Published: Wednesday, 5 August 2026 at 12:08 pm

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Joe Marler has been confirmed to be joining the BBC’s Gladiators as the show’s first-ever Celebrity Gladiator.

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The former rugby player and TV personality, who recently appeared on the first-ever celebrity instalment of The Traitors, will make his debut in the upcoming fourth season of the BBC revival series, where he’ll join the ranks of the Gladiators as they go head-to-head with brave contestants.

Marler, who will go by the stage moniker of Mauler, will bring "his uncompromising style of play and larger-than-life sense of humour" as well as "his trademark physicality and competitive spirit to one of television's toughest arenas", according to the BBC.

Gladiators season 4 is currently filming in Sheffield ahead of a release in 2027.

The revived Saturday night entertainment show launched in 2024, with Bradley and Barney Walsh taking on hosting duties.

To break the news, the official Gladiators Instagram page released a video of Marler walking into the show's changing rooms before he turns round to the camera and says, "Mauler will see you now".

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Season 3 of Gladiators came to a dramatic end earlier this year, with Emily Bell and Josh McDonald ultimately being crowned the Gladiators champions.

Before Marler makes his debut in Gladiators season 4, fans are set to be treated to a one-off celebrity special later this year.

Stepping out into the arena for the very first time will be AJ Odudu, Chris Ramsey, George Clarke and Sara Pascoe.

Read more:

Gladiators season 4 will air on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

RadioTimes.com senior trends writer Molly Moss. She is sitting outside wearing a black top, holding a white teacup with a smily face on it to her mouth

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.

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